Parking stall barrier

ABSTRACT

A remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus for controlling the use of a parking space. The apparatus includes a barrier member which is selectively positionable in a stall blocking position or a retracted position. Control means provided with the apparatus permits the user to unlock the barrier in either of the stall blocking or retracted positions so as to permit movement of the barrier to the retracted position when the user wishes to use the parking space and to permit movement of the barrier to the stall blocking position when the user removes his vehicle from the parking space. The apparatus is surface mounted for facilitated installation and includes electrically operated means for effecting unlocking of the barrier when desired.

United States Patent [191 Geraci Nov. 26, 1974 PARKING STALL BARRIER[22] Filed: Mar. 112, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 340,554

[52] US. Cl. 49/35, 49/49 [51] Int. Cl EOlf 13/00 [58] Field of Search49/35, 49, 70, 25, 31, 49/131, 132

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,024,063 12/1935 Roper49/131 2,588,502 3/1952 Dunn i i 49/35 2,588,879 3/1952 Richards 49/25 X2,637,920 5/1953 Stratton 49/35 2,741,859 4/1956 Castle 49/35 X2,805,498 9/1957 Mosher et 49/35 X 3,303,613 2/1967 Seuntjens 49/1313,368,305 2/1968 Piekarski i 49/70 3,626,637 12/1971 Rudicel 49/35 XSalloum 49/35 Reynolds 49/131 Primary Examiner-Dennis L. TaylorAttorney, Agent, or Firm Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & McCord [5 7ABSTRACT A remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus forcontrolling the use of a parking space. The apparatus includes a barriermember which is selectively positionable in a stall blocking position ora retracted position. Control means provided with the apparatus permitsthe user to unlock the barrier in either of the stall blocking orretracted positions so as to permit movement of the barrier to theretracted position when the user wishes to use the parking space and topermit movement of the barrier to the stall blocking position when theuser removes his vehicle from the parking space. The apparatus issurface mounted for facilitated installation and includes electricallyoperated means for effecting unlocking of the barrier when desired.

37 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PARKING STALL BARRIER BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to spacecontrol means and in particular to barrier apparatus for use incontrolling the use of a vehicular parking stall.

2. Description of the Prior Art One form of parking stall control meansis illustrated in S. R. Genoe U.S. Pat. No. 2,737,740 which shows aparking space guard having a barrier means selectively locked in anupright position to prevent unauthorized use of the sapce. To effect thelocking of the barrier in this position, the hasp of a padlock isinserted through perforations in an upright and a flange of the support.In the use of the guard, the user must leave the vehicle, remove thelock from the device and turn the upright downwardly to permit thevehicle to move into or from the stall. To dispose the guard in thestall blocking position, the user must manually raise the upright topermit relocking thereof in the vertical position.

In the U.S. Fat. to stratton et al. No. 2,637,920 and Castle, No.2,741,859, barrier-type devices are remotely controlled as bycoin-operated devices accessible to the driver from the vehicle. The useof radio control or electromagnetic devices in connection with parkingspace barriers is also illustrated in U.S. Pats. to Rose et al., No.3,041,507 and Piekarski, No. 3,368,305.

U.S. Pat. to Dull, No. 3,061,960 and Sprung, No. 3,417,508 show manuallyoperable guards, and Dunne U.S. Pat. No. 2,588,502 shows a space controlwherein the weight of the vehicle actuates the barrier.

Other U.S. Pats. which show related control devices are those of Capre,No. 1,935,017; Sweetser, No. 2,657,486; Chicoine et al., No. 2,842,876;Marmont et al., No. 2,929,623; Neblett, No. 3,134,184; Staples No.3,150,454.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends a new andimproved remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus whichincludes a barrier member, means for selectively locking the barriermember in an upstanding vehicle blocking position and horizontalnon-blocking position, and release means for unlocking the barriermember only when a vehicle bears against the barrier.

The release means may include a remote control means for permitting theuser to unlock the barrier while remaining within the vehicle.Alternatively, the control means may comprise a coin-operated control asdesired. The apparatus is adapted for surface mounting and may bebattery-operated if desired, thereby eliminating the need for expensivewiring to the apparatus while yet providing positive operation of theapparatus as desired over long periods of time.

More specifically, the invention comprehends a remote control vehicularparking stall barrier apparatus including a barrier member, means formounting the barrier member in a vehicular parking stall, switch meansassociated with the barrier to be operated by at least one of the wheelsof a vheicle as it is brought into or from the stall, a controlledoperating means such as a remote controlled signal receiver orcoin-operated device, means for selectively guiding the barrier to astall blocking position and to a retracted position allowing ingress andegress by the vehicle relative to the stall, means for permittingoperation of the signal receiver only when the switch means is operated,means for latching the barrier in the retracted position and in thestall blocking position, controlled means for transmitting a signal tothe remote controlled receiver where used, and means responsive tooperation of the signal receiver by the controlled means or to thedeposit of a coin in the coin-operated device to release the latchingmeans for permitting movement of the barrier to the retracted positionwhen the vehicle is entering and is disposed in the stall, andpermitting movement of the barrier to the stall blocking position uponthe vehicle leaving the stall. The barrier may be pivotally mountedadjacent one end and the latching means may include a movably mountedlatch member, a connector movably mounted to the barrier and selectivelyengageable with the latch member to lock the barrier in either of thestall blocking or retracted positions.

The remote control means may include a receiver associated with thebarrier and a transmitter within the vehicle to be parked or may be acoin-controlled device to be actuated by the driver when desiring to usethe parking space. The receiver is arranged to be operated only when thevehicle engages the barrier to actuate a control switch associatedtherewith and thereby potentiate the receiver for receiving a suitablecontrol signal from the transmitter.

The barrier is released from each of the stall blocking and retractedpositions by the signal transmitted to the receiver as a result ofoperation of a solenoid operating the latch member controlling thebarrier connector. The barrier is spring biased to the stall blockingposition, and in the illustrated embodiment, one end of a spring isconnected to the connector for urging the barrier to the stall blockingposition. The latch member may be pivotally mounted for actuation by thesolenoid and may include different shoulder means for locking thebarrier in the stall blocking and retracted positions.

The parking stall barrier apparatus is extremely simple and economicalof construction while yet providing the highly desirable featuresdiscussed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view ofa parking stall barrier apparatusembodying the invention;

FIGS. IA, 18, 1C and ID are diagrammatic side elevations illustratingfirst, second, third and fourth steps, respectively, in the use of oneembodiment of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the installed barrier meansin the retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the installed barrier meansin the stall blocking position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse section taken substantiallyalong the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse section taken substantiallyalong the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a transverse section of a preferred embodiment of thevehicular parking stall barrier apparatus;

FIG. 6A is a transverse section similar to that of FIG. 6 but with thebarrier in the retracted position; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the barrier in the retractedposition with portions broken away to facilitate illustration of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the exemplary embodiment ofthe invention as disclosed in FIGS. lof the drawing, a plurality ofvehicular parking stall barrier apparatuses generally designated 10 areshown as provided for controlling the use of a plurality of parkingspaces 11 as by vehicles 12, such as automobiles. Each apparatus 10 isidentical and, thus, the description thereof will be limited to one suchapparatus.

Briefly, as shown in FIGS. lA-lD, apparatus 10 is arranged to permit theparking in space 11 only by an authorized user. Thus, the barrierapparatus 10 includes a barrier member 13 which is selectively disposedin a stall blocking position as shown in FIG. 1A, and a retractedposition as shown in FIG. 1C. When the stall is not in use, the barrieris normally in the stall blocking position of FIG. 1A so thatunauthorized use of the parking space 11 is prevented. However, when theauthorized user of the parking space wishes to park the vehicle 12therein, he may bring the front wheels 14 of the vehicle onto the frontend portion 15 of the barrier member and concurrently operate a suitableacutating means illustratively comprising a radio frequency transmitterdevice 16 to operate a radio frequency receiver 17 in a control post 18at the rear of the parking space 11. Alternatively or additionally, acoin-controlled device l7a may be provided for effecting operation ofapparatus 10. This control of the receiver 17 is effected by means of aswitch 19 which is operated by FIGS. 18 and 3. Reception of the remotecontrol radio frequency signal by receiver 17 effects electricaloperation of a solenoid 20 to move a latching member 21 away fromlocking association with a connector 22 attached to the barrier member13 to permit the connector to move along a bottom channel 23 of thedevice to a substantially horizontal position as a result of a downwardforce on the barrier member 13 as by the weight of the car thereon. Thebarrier member 13 is carried on a downwardly opening support channel 24which is pivotally mounted to the upwardly opening bottom channel 23 bymeans of a pivot pin 25 which is urged upwardly by a coil spring 26between the pivot pin 25 and web of channel 23. The pin 25 is receivedin a vertically elongated slot 27 in channel 23 to permit suitabledownward movement against the action of spring 26 to effect operation ofswitch 19 through an operator 19a connected thereto.

Thus, as seen in FIGS. 1B, 1C, 2 and 3, the movement of latching member21 by solenoid 20 permits the user to drive the vehicle 12 forwardlyinto stall 11 with the weight of the car bringing the barrier to theretracted position of FIGS. 1C and 2. The user need send the operatingsignal only to release the latch member 21 and, thus when the barrier isin the retracted position of FIG. 2, solenoid 20 is no longer energizedas a result of the discontinuation of the transmission of the operatingsignal to receiver 17, and a roller 28 carried on the lower end of theconnector 22 may be locked in a suitable downwardly opening recess 29 inthe latch member 21 against the action of a coil spring 30 tending tourge the roller 28 to the left as seen in FIG. 2 against a stop shoulder31 defined by the front edge of the recess 29. The tension of spring 30may be controlled by suitable threaded mounting device 32 carried on thechannel 32 and connected to the opposite end of the spring.

The barrier 13 may remain in the retracted position while the vehicle 12is retained in the parking space 11. Alternatively, means may beprovided for releasing the barrier to provide antitheft functioning ofthe apparatus. When it is desired to move the vehicle, it is backed outuntil the front wheels 14 again rest on the leading portion 15 of thebarrier 13 thereby again closing switch 19 and permitting the user toagain actuate the solenoid 20 by means of the transmitter 16. Operationof solenoid 20 effects a movement of the latch member 21 pivotally abouta pivot 33 on channel 23 so as to swing the latch member away from theroller 28 as shown in broken lines in FIG. 3, and thereby permit spring30 to urge the lower end of the connector 22 along the channel 23. Theupper end of the connector 22 is connected to the channel 24 by asuitable pivot 34 and, thus, the action of spring 30 causes a swingingof the barrier 13 about the axis of pivot 25 to the-upper stall blockingposition of FIGS. 1A and 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the angularity of theinclined arrangement of the barrier 13 may be adjusted by disposing pin34 in any one ofa plurality of holes 35 spaced longitudinally in channel24. In this position, downward movement of the barrier 13 is preventedby the abutment of the connector 22 with the end 36 of the latch member21 which is now restored to the horizontal position by thede-energization of solenoid 20. The extension of coil spring 30 isadjusted by device 32 so that the coil spring is substantially relaxedin the stall blocking arrangement of the apparatus, as shown in FIG. 3,with the weight of the barrier 13 and channel 24 effectively urging thelower connector end against the latching member end 36.

Thus, when the user removes the vehicle from the parking space 11 thebarrier is again disposed in the stall blocking position of FIGS. 1Apreventing unauthorized use of the parking space.

The operation of solenoid 20 is effected electrically by means of anysuitable power supply which may include conventional -v. AC powersupplies. In the illustrated embodiment, the power supply comprises abattery 37 which may be mounted in control post 18. As the entire systemis deenergized as long as switch 19 is open, there is no drain on thebattery 37 during periods of nonuse of the apparatus. It is only whenthe user's vehicle wheels bear down on the front end 15 of the barrierthat the receiver 17 and solenoid 20 may be connected to the battery foroperation thereof. Upon release of the latching means of the apparatus,the user drives the vehicle fully into the parking space, once againremoving the downward force on the barrier portion 15 and therebydisconnecting the electrical apparatus from the battery 37.

Thus, the apparatus 10 requires not only the use of a remote controltransmitter and receiver, but also concurrently positioning of the usersvehicle wheels on the front portion only of the barrier 13 to effect thedesired release of the barrier to either the retracted or stall blockingpositions. The weight of the vehicle causes the released barrier 13 tobe moved down to the retracted position in which position it is latched,or locked, as the solenoid is de-energized at that time. To restore thebarrier to the stall blocking position once it is released in theretracted position, the coil spring 30 is utilized. Thus, the onlyelectrical apparatus needed to control the operation of the apparatus isa low power radio receiver and a relatively low power latch controlsolenoid. As a result, the battery may have long life between need forrecharging.

As the apparatus comprises a surface mounted apparatus, installationthereof is extremely simple and may be effected by any suitable meanssuch as by bolts.

As shown, the barrier 13 may extend the full width of the vehicle, or atleast sufficiently to underlie both front wheels of the vehicle toeffectively avoid cocking of the barrier. The barrier may have adownturned leading apron 39 and a downturned trailing apron 40 forguiding the vehicle wheels upwardly onto the midportion 41 of thebarrier in driving the vehicle thereover. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5,the downturned channel 24 nests over the upturned channel 23 toeffectively enclose the apparatus carried on channel 23 and preventmanual operation of the latch 21. The downturned aprons 39 and 40 andflexible cover 51 effectively prevent access to the opposite ends of thechannels.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGS. 6-7, a preferred form ofvehicular'parking stall barrier apparatus generally designated 110 isshown to comprise a barrier member 113 which is selectively disposed inthe stall blocking position shown in FIG. 6 and the retracted positionshown in FIG. 6A. Barrier 113 carries depending support channels 124which are pivotally of FIG. 6, the pivot element 147 underlies a holdingelement 150 on the channel 124 to effectively preclude clockwiseswinging of the barrier to the retracted position of FIG. 6Anotwithstanding moving of an automobile onto the barrier. Further, whenthe barrier is in the retracted position of FIG. 6A, the pivot of themembers 147 in the counterclockwise direction causes them to latch overthe holding element 150 and thereby prevent release of the barrier fromthe retracted position until such time as the solenoid 120 is energizedto release the barrier for pivotal movement to the stall blockingposition by the action of spring 144 as shown in FIG. 6.

Thus, the cooperating pivot element 147 and holding member 150effectively define a. holding means which is responsive to the operationof the signal receiver 117 which may be disposed within apparatus 110for selectively releasably retaining the barrier in either of the stallblocking or retracted positions. The pivot element defines an L-shapedmember having its leg 147a fixed to the rod 148 and a turned end 147badapted to cooperate with the holding member 150 to effect such controlof the barrier. Thus, pivot end 147b cooperates with the holding member150 which effectively defines a latch member in controlling thepositioning of the barrier.

Apparatus 110 functions generally similarly to apparatus 10 in that whenthe user wishes to park the vehimounted to bottom channels 123 carriedon a base 142. Thus, as shown, to effect such pivotal mounting, a pivotpin 125 extends through suitable slots 127 in the base channels 123 andsuitable openings 143 in the barrier channels 124. Pivot pin 125 isbiased upwardly by coil springs 126 so as to maintain the switch 119open until the front portion 115 of the barrier is urged downwardly asby the weight of an automobile passing there over to close switch 119and thereby activate the apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 7, three cooperating channels 123 and 124 are providedin apparatus 110 including a first pair of channels 124a and 12311 atthe righthand end 141a of the barrier, a second set of channels 124])and 12312 at the mid-portion 141!) of the barrier, and a third setofchannels 124C and 1230 at the lefthand end 1416. The switch 119 may beassociated with the middle channels 124]) and 12319.

Barrier 113 may be biased to the stall blocking position of FIG. 6 bysuitable spring means, which in the illustrated embodiment, comprise aheavy coil spring 144 having one end held by a spring retainer 145carried on the web of the barrier channel 124 and the other end held bya spring retainer 146 carried on the web of the base channel 123.

Barrier 113 is normally prevented from being moved to the retractedposition by three pivot elements 147 fixed to a rod 148 which isjournalled on a plurality of bearing supports 149 carried on basechannel 123. Rod 148 is pivoted about the longitudinal axis thereof by asolenoid 120 to swing the pivot elements 147 to a retracted positionshown in dotted lines in FIG. 6A upon energization of the solenoid. Thesolenoid is biased to swing the pivot elements 147 in a counterclockwisedi rection, as seen in FIGS. 6 and 6A, away from the retracted positionupon de-energization of the solenoid. Thus, when the barrier is in thestall blocking position cle 12, he brings the front wheels 14 of thevehicle in engagement with the front of barrier 113 and actuates theradio receiver 117 by means of his transmitter device 16 to energizesolenoid and thereby retract latch member 147. Movement of theautomobile wheels further onto the barrier 113 then causes the barrierto move to the retracted position of FIG. 6A. Upon discontinuation ofthe actuating signal, solenoid 120 is deenergized, permitting the member147 to swing back to the latching position of FIG. 6A therebymaintaining the barrier in the retracted position.

As shown in FIG. 6, receiver 117 may be provided within the apparatus110 eliminating the need for the separate post 18 as in the embodimentof apparatus 10. Where the operation of the apparatus is effected by abattery, the battery 137 may be similarly mounted within the apparatus.In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver and battery are mounted tothe barrier member 113, as shown in FIG. 61. As discussed above relativeto battery 37, the battery may be selectively chargeable ornonchargeable as desired. By incorporating the receiver and batterydirectly in the barrier apparatus, the need for wiring between the postand the barrier apparatus is eliminated. However, where the controlmeans comprise coin-controlled means, the moditied apparatus 110 mayutilize the arrangement of apparatus 10 selectively as desired; that is,where a post must be provided for mounting the coin-actuated means, thebattery 137 may be installed therein for facilitated maintenance. Aswill be obvious to those skilled in the art, alternatively, apparatus 10may utilize the arrangement of FIG. 6 wherein the receiver and batteryare mounted within the barrier apparatus eliminating the need for thepost 18 in apparatus 10.

To move the automobile from the parking area, the user withdraws thevehicle until the trailing wheels again actuate switch 119 to permitenergization of the receiver 117 by actuation of the control 16 in theautomobile to release the latch means 174, 150 andpermit the barriertomove back to the stall blocking position.

Upon the trailing wheels leaving the barrier, switch 119 is again openedto de-energize the solenoid and return the apparatus to the lockingstall blocking arrangement of FIG. 6.

The apparatus of FIGS. 607 is similar to the apparatus of FIGS. 1-5 andsimilar elements thereof are identified by similar reference numeralsexcept 100 higher The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments isillustrative of the broad inventive concepts comprehended by theinvention.

I claim: I

l. A remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatuscomprising:

a barrier member;

means for mounting the barrier member in a vehicular parking stall;

switch means associated with said barrier to beoperated by at least oneof the wheels of a vehicle as it is brought into or from the stall;

a remote control signal receiver;

means for selectively guiding the barrier to a stall blocking position,and to a retracted position allowing ingress and egress by the vehiclerelative to the stall;

means for permitting operation of the signal receiver only when saidswitch means is operated;

means for releasably retaining said barrier in the retracted positionand in said stall blocking position;

controlled means for transmitting a signal to the receiver; and

means responsive to concurrent operation of the signal receiver by saidcontrolled means and operation of the switch means to release saidreleasable retaining means for permitting movement of the barrier to theretracted position upon the vehicle entering said stall, and permittingmovement of the barrier to the stall blocking position upon the vehicleleaving said stall.

2. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus of claim1 wherein said guiding means includes means for urging the barrier tothe stall blocking position.

3. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus of claim1 wherein said guiding means includes spring means for biasing thebarrier to the stall blocking position.

4. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus of claim1 wherein said barrier is yieldingly mounted adjacent said switch meansto be urged downwardly by the weight of the vehicle thereon and meansare provided for operating said switch means in response to the downwardmovement of said barrier by said vehicle weight.

5. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus of claim1 further including means for pivotally mounting the barrier adjacentone end thereof about a horizontal axis and means for swinging saidbarrier about said axis between an inclined stall blocking position anda horizontal retracted position.

6. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus of claim1 further including means for pivotally mounting the barrier adjacentone end thereof about a horizontal axis and means for swinging saidbarrier about said axis between an inclined stall blocking position anda horizontal retracted position includconnector movably mounted to saidbarrier and having means engaging the latch member to lock the barrierin said stall blocking position, and electrically operated means formoving the latch member to release said barrier by disengaging the latchmember from said means engaging the latch member.

9. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus of claim1 wherein said releasable retaining means comprises a movably mountedlatch member, a connector movably mounted to said barrier and havingmeans engaging the latch member to lock the barrier in said retractedposition, and electrically operated means for moving the latch member torelease said barrier by disengaging the latch member from said meansengaging the latch member.

10. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus ofclaim 1 including battery means for operating said signal receiver andmeans for releasing said releasable retaining means.

11. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises surface mounting apparatus.

12. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said releasable retaining means comprises a movablymounted latch member, a connector movably mounted to said barrier, andhaving means engaging the latch member to lock the barrier in said stallblocking position and in said retracted position, electrically operatedmeans for moving the latch means to release said barrier by disengagingthe latch means from said means engaging the latch means, and means forurging the connector away from the latch member when said latch means ismoved to release the barrier.

13. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said means for releasably retaining said barrier meanscomprises holding means having a holding portion and a pivot portion,said means responsive to the operation of the signal receiver comprisesmeans for selectively pivoting said pivot portion, and said barriermember includes means cooperating with said holding portion of thehodling means for releasably holding the barrier in said retracted andstall blocking position as an incident of the pivoting of the holdingmeans by said signal receiver responsive means.

14. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus ofclaim 13 wherein said signal receiver re sponsive means includes a pivotelement carrying said pivot portion of the latching means and a solenoidcon nected to said pivot element for pivoting said element about a pivotaxis thereof.

15. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus ofclaim 13 wherein said holding portion comprises a turned end of saidholding means and said cooperating means of the barrier defines a latchmember selectively engaged by said turned end.

16. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said mounting means includes a base member and saidguiding means includes a spring acting between said barrier and saidbase member for urging the barrier to the stall blocking position.

17. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said mounting means includes a base member and means forpivotally mounting said barrier to the base member, and said guidingmeans includes a spring acting between said barrier and said base memberfor pivotally urging the barrier to the stall blocking position.

18. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said means for releasably retaining the barriercomprises a rod and a plurality of latching elements longitudinallyspaced on said rod and engageable with cooperating means on the barrier,and said means responsive to operation of the signal re ceiver comprisesmeans for selectively moving said rod to disengage said latchingelements from said cooperating means.

19. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said mounting means in cludes a base member and meansfor pivotally mounting said barrier to the base member, and said guidingmeans includes a spring acting between said barrier and said base memberfor pivotally urging the barrier to the stall blocking position, saidmeans for pivotally mounting said barrier including yieldable means,said switch means being disposed adjacent said mounting means to bepivoted as an incident of the yielding thereof.

20. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said barrier is elongated and said releasable retainingmeans includes holding means disposed adjacent the ends of the barrier.

21. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said barrier is elongated and said releasable retainingmeans includes holding means disposed adjacent the ends of the barrierand adjacent the center of the barrier.

22. Barrier apparatus for controlling access to a vehicular parkingspace having an entrance portion, said apparatus comprising: a barriermember; mounting means for movably mounting said barrier member to saidentrance portion of said parking space for selective movement between anupstanding blocking position thereacross and a retracted horizontalnon-blocking position permitting movement of a vehicle into and fromsaid parking space; locking means for selectively locking the barriermember in said blocking and nonblocking positions; and release means forreleasing said locking means to unlock said barrier member in either ofsaid positions only when a vehicle bears against said barrier apparatus.

23. The vehicular parking space barrier apparatus of claim 22 whereinsaid release means includes remote control means for permitting the userto unlock said barrier while remaining within the vehicle.

24. The vehicular parking space barrier apparatus of claim 22 whereinsaid mounting means comprises surface mounting structure.

25. The vehicular parking space barrier apparatus of claim 22 whereinsaid release means includes a battery and battery operated means forselectively unlocking the barrier member.

26. The vehicular parking space barrier apparatus of claim 22 whereinsaid release means includes a radio receiver operatively associated withsaid release means to effect unlocking of the barrier member andtransmit ter means adapted to be disposed within the vehicle forremotely operating said receiver.

27. The vehicular parking space barrier apparatus of claim 22 includingan enclosure, said locking means and said release means being disposedwithin said enclosure.

28. The vehicular parking space barrier apparatus of claim 27 includingbattery means for controlling the locking and unlocking of the barriermember mounted within the enclosure.

29. The vehicular parking spacebarrier apparatus of claim 27 including aremote controlled receiver for controlling the locking and unlocking ofthe barrier member mounted within the enclsoure.

30. Barrier apparatus for controlling access to a vehicular parkingspace having an entrance portion, said apparatus comprising: a barriermember; mounting means for movably mounting said barrier member on thesurface of said entrance portion of said parking space for selectivemovement between an upstanding blocking position thereacross and aretracted horizontal non-blocking position permitting movement of avehicle into and from said parking space; electrically operative lockingmeans underlying said barrier member and overlying said parking spacesurface for selectively locking the barrier member in said blocking andnonblocking positions; and release means for releasing said lockingmeans to unlock said barrier member in either of said positions onlywhen a vehicle bears against said barrier apparatus.

31. The vehicular parking barrier apparatus of claim 30 includingenclosure means for protecting the electrically operative locking meansagainst the elements.

32. The vehicular parking barrier apparatus of claim 30 including alower mounting member, said electrically operative locking means beingcarried subjacent said barrier member on said lower mounting member.

33. The vehicular parking barrier apparatus of claim 30 wherein saidlocking means includes a holding element movable with said barriermember and a movable latching element carried by said surface mountingmeans for selective engagement with said holding element to positionallyretain said barrier member.

34. The vehicular parking barrier apparatus of claim 30 wherein saidlocking means includes a holding element movable with said barriermember, a movable latching element carried by said mounting means forselective engagement with said holding element to positionally retainsaid barrier member, and radio means for remotely controlling themovement of said latching element.

35. Barrier apparatus for controlling access to a parking space havingan entrance portion, said apparatus comprising: a barrier membermounting means for movably mounting said barrier member to said entranceportion of said parking space for selective movement between anupstanding blocking position thereacross and a retracted horizontalnon-blocking position permitting movement of a vehicle into and fromsaid parking space; electrically operative locking means underlying saidbarrier member for selectively locking said barrier member in saidblocking and non-blocking vents movement of said barrier member fromsaid blocking position to said non-blocking position, and said remotecontrol means further is arranged to operate said locking means topermit movement of said barrier member from said blocking position tosaid nonblocking position as an incident of a vehicle passing over saidbarrier member.

37. The vehicular parking barrier apparatus of claim 35 wherein saidelectrically operative locking means is disposed fully above the parkingsurface of said parking space.

1. A remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatuscomprising: a barrier member; means for mounting the barrier member in avehicular parking stall; switch means associated with said barrier to beoperated by at least one of the wheels of a vehicle as it is broughtinto or from the stall; a remote control signal receiver; means forselectively guiding the barrier to a stall blocking position, and to aretracted position allowing ingress and egress by the vehicle relativeto the stall; means for permitting operation of the signal receiver onlywhen said switch means is operated; means for releasably retaining saidbarrier in the retracted position and in said stall blocking position;controlled means for transmitting a signal to the receiver; and meansresponsive to concurrent operation of the signal receiver by saidcontrolled means and operation of the switch means to release saidreleasable retaining means for permitting movement of the barrier to theretracted position upon the vehicle entering said stall, and permittingmovement of the barrier to the stall blocking position upon the vehicleleaving said stall.
 2. The remote control vehicular parking stallbarrier apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guiding means includes meansfor urging the barrier to the stall blocking position.
 3. The remotecontrol vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid guiding means includes spring means for biasing the barrier to thestall blocking position.
 4. The remote control vehicular parking stallbarrier apparatus of claim 1 wherein said barrier is yieldingly mountedadjacent said switch means to be urged downwardly by the weight of thevehicle thereon and means are provided for operating said switch meansin response to the downward movement of said barrier by said vehicleweight.
 5. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatusof claim 1 further including means for pivotally mounting the barrieradjacent one end thereof about a horizontal axis and means for swingingsaid barrier about said axis between an inclined stall blocking positionand a horizontal retracted position.
 6. The remote control vehicularparking stall barrier apparatus of claim 1 further including means forpivotally mounting the barrier adjacent one end thereof about ahorizontal axis and means for swinging said barrier about said axisbetween an inclined stall blocking position and a horizontal retractedposition including means for biasing the barrier toward said stallblocking position.
 7. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrierapparatus of claim 1 wherein said barrier extends lengthwise across thestall at least the width of the lateral wheel spacing of the vehicle soas to be engaged simultaneously by a pair of the vehicle wheels.
 8. Theremote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus of claim 1wherein said releasable retaining means comprises a movably mountedlatch member, a connector movably mounted to said barrier and havingmeans engaging the latch member to lock the barrier in said stallblocking position, and electrically operated means for moving the latchmember to release said barrier by disengaging the latch member from saidmeans engaging the latch member.
 9. The remote control vehicular parkingstall barrier apparatus of claim 1 wherein said releasable retainingmeans comprises a movably mounted latch member, a connector movablymounted to said barrier and having means engaging the latch member tolock the barrier in said retracted position, and electrically operatedmeans for moving the latch member to release said barrier by disengagingthe latch member from said means engaging the latch member.
 10. Theremote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus of claim 1including battery means for operating said signal receiver and means forreleasing said releasable retaining means.
 11. The remote controlvehicular parking stall barrier apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidapparatus comprises surface mounting apparatus.
 12. The remote controlvehicular parking stall barrier apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidreleasable retaining means comprises a movably mounted latch member, aconnector movably mounted to said barrier, and having means engaging thelatch member to lock the barrier in said stall blocking position and insaid retracted position, electrically operated means for moving thelatch means to release said barrier by disengaging the latch means fromsaid means engaging the latch means, and means for urging the connectoraway from the latch member when said latch means is moved to release thebarrier.
 13. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrierapparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for releasably retaining saidbarrier means comprises holding means having a holding portion and apivot portion, said means responsive to the operation of the signalreceiver comprises means for selectively pivoting said pivot portion,and said barrier member includes means cooperating with said holdingportion of the holding means for releasably holding the barrier in saidretracted and stall blocking position as an incideNt of the pivoting ofthe holding means by said signal receiver responsive means.
 14. Theremote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus of claim 13wherein said signal receiver responsive means includes a pivot elementcarrying said pivot portion of the latching means and a solenoidconnected to said pivot element for pivoting said element about a pivotaxis thereof.
 15. The remote control vehicular parking stall barrierapparatus of claim 13 wherein said holding portion comprises a turnedend of said holding means and said cooperating means of the barrierdefines a latch member selectively engaged by said turned end.
 16. Theremote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus of claim 1wherein said mounting means includes a base member and said guidingmeans includes a spring acting between said barrier and said base memberfor urging the barrier to the stall blocking position.
 17. The remotecontrol vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid mounting means includes a base member and means for pivotallymounting said barrier to the base member, and said guiding meansincludes a spring acting between said barrier and said base member forpivotally urging the barrier to the stall blocking position.
 18. Theremote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus of claim 1wherein said means for releasably retaining the barrier comprises a rodand a plurality of latching elements longitudinally spaced on said rodand engageable with cooperating means on the barrier, and said meansresponsive to operation of the signal receiver comprises means forselectively moving said rod to disengage said latching elements fromsaid cooperating means.
 19. The remote control vehicular parking stallbarrier apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes a basemember and means for pivotally mounting said barrier to the base member,and said guiding means includes a spring acting between said barrier andsaid base member for pivotally urging the barrier to the stall blockingposition, said means for pivotally mounting said barrier includingyieldable means, said switch means being disposed adjacent said mountingmeans to be pivoted as an incident of the yielding thereof.
 20. Theremote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus of claim 1wherein said barrier is elongated and said releasable retaining meansincludes holding means disposed adjacent the ends of the barrier. 21.The remote control vehicular parking stall barrier apparatus of claim 1wherein said barrier is elongated and said releasable retaining meansincludes holding means disposed adjacent the ends of the barrier andadjacent the center of the barrier.
 22. Barrier apparatus forcontrolling access to a vehicular parking space having an entranceportion, said apparatus comprising: a barrier member; mounting means formovably mounting said barrier member to said entrance portion of saidparking space for selective movement between an upstanding blockingposition thereacross and a retracted horizontal non-blocking positionpermitting movement of a vehicle into and from said parking space;locking means for selectively locking the barrier member in saidblocking and non-blocking positions; and release means for releasingsaid locking means to unlock said barrier member in either of saidpositions only when a vehicle bears against said barrier apparatus. 23.The vehicular parking space barrier apparatus of claim 22 wherein saidrelease means includes remote control means for permitting the user tounlock said barrier while remaining within the vehicle.
 24. Thevehicular parking space barrier apparatus of claim 22 wherein saidmounting means comprises surface mounting structure.
 25. The vehicularparking space barrier apparatus of claim 22 wherein said release meansincludes a battery and battery-operated means for selectively unlockingthe barrier member.
 26. The vehicular parking space barrier apparatus ofclaim 22 wherein said rElease means includes a radio receiveroperatively associated with said release means to effect unlocking ofthe barrier member and transmitter means adapted to be disposed withinthe vehicle for remotely operating said receiver.
 27. The vehicularparking space barrier apparatus of claim 22 including an enclosure, saidlocking means and said release means being disposed within saidenclosure.
 28. The vehicular parking space barrier apparatus of claim 27including battery means for controlling the locking and unlocking of thebarrier member mounted within the enclosure.
 29. The vehicular parkingspace barrier apparatus of claim 27 including a remote controlledreceiver for controlling the locking and unlocking of the barrier membermounted within the enclosure.
 30. Barrier apparatus for controllingaccess to a vehicular parking space having an entrance portion, saidapparatus comprising: a barrier member; mounting means for movablymounting said barrier member on the surface of said entrance portion ofsaid parking space for selective movement between an upstanding blockingposition thereacross and a retracted horizontal non-blocking positionpermitting movement of a vehicle into and from said parking space;electrically operative locking means underlying said barrier member andoverlying said parking space surface for selectively locking the barriermember in said blocking and non-blocking positions; and release meansfor releasing said locking means to unlock said barrier member in eitherof said positions only when a vehicle bears against said barrierapparatus.
 31. The vehicular parking barrier apparatus of claim 30including enclosure means for protecting the electrically operativelocking means against the elements.
 32. The vehicular parking barrierapparatus of claim 30 including a lower mounting member, saidelectrically operative locking means being carried subjacent saidbarrier member on said lower mounting member.
 33. The vehicular parkingbarrier apparatus of claim 30 wherein said locking means includes aholding element movable with said barrier member and a movable latchingelement carried by said surface mounting means for selective engagementwith said holding element to positionally retain said barrier member.34. The vehicular parking barrier apparatus of claim 30 wherein saidlocking means includes a holding element movable with said barriermember, a movable latching element carried by said mounting means forselective engagement with said holding element to positionally retainsaid barrier member, and radio means for remotely controlling themovement of said latching element.
 35. Barrier apparatus for controllingaccess to a parking space having an entrance portion, said apparatuscomprising: a barrier member mounting means for movably mounting saidbarrier member to said entrance portion of said parking space forselective movement between an upstanding blocking position thereacrossand a retracted horizontal non-blocking position permitting movement ofa vehicle into and from said parking space; electrically operativelocking means underlying said barrier member for selectively lockingsaid barrier member in said blocking and non-blocking positions, saidlocking means selectively locking said barrier member in saidnon-blocking position as an incident of a vehicle passing over saidbarrier; remote control signal transmitting and receiving release meansfor selectively operating said locking means to release said lockingapparatus; and means for causing said barrier member to move from saidnon-blocking position to said blocking position upon said release onlywhen the barrier member is free of engagement by the vehicle.
 36. Thevehicular parking barrier apparatus of claim 35 wherein said lockingmeans further selectively prevents movement of said barrier member fromsaid blocking position to said non-blocking position, and said remotecontrol means further is arranged to operate said locking means topErmit movement of said barrier member from said blocking position tosaid non-blocking position as an incident of a vehicle passing over saidbarrier member.
 37. The vehicular parking barrier apparatus of claim 35wherein said electrically operative locking means is disposed fullyabove the parking surface of said parking space.